13 posts from 2008

Being involved in a vehicular accident entails added burden on both the colliding parties.

Ideally, the negligent party has to reimburse the victim of the expenses incurred in treating any injury or repairing any property destroyed. However, reality remains that asking for reimbursement from the party at fault requires a lot of hard work.

In most cases, vehicle owners insure their cars so that when accident happens something will answer for the injuries sustained by the victims or for any property damages. This is referred to as a car accident insurance.

In a blog, “Considerations in Choosing a Car Insurance Coverage”, the author mentioned helpful tips in choosing a car insurance coverage to suit your needs. The author cited guidelines from choosing a suitable car insurance coverage to finding affordable insurance rate.

It is better to get an affordable and reliable car insurance policy now to answer for any contingencies.

The blog I came across with discussed in brief one peculiar effect of car accident. It makes me think twice what really, after the accident, goes on in the mind both of the victim and the one who caused the accident.

Trauma and other forms of shock are given. But there is one interesting thing, at least for those who study the minds, which happened with a driver who just figured in a car accident.

The blog said about “someone who was driving a truck that struck another vehicle and caused a four-vehicle pile-up managed himself to survive though injured, got out of the crashed vehicle and jumped off the ledge in a busy highway.”

At the outset, we might conclude that the man is fleeting from the scene of the accident. But he is not. Witnesses say that he casually walked and “acted bizarre”, then all of a sudden jumped off the ledge.

When the driver was asked by the police afterwards, he said he doesn’t know what he is doing following the collision. Was he lying? If he is, then in all probability he might have indeed tried to flee although rather unsuccessfully.

If he is not, it is interesting to note how these car accidents don’t only damage property, injure human beings or cause wrongful death but also affect the mental faculties of a person which may very well be considered in proving negligence and consequent liability of persons before the law.

The blog Car Manufacturing Defect or Sheer Accident wonders whether the bus accident that happened in 91 near Knott Avenue were, as the title goes, a manufacturing defect or an accident.

It was based on a news report about a Volkswagen bus which mysteriously caught fire during trip on the westbound lane of 91 one Friday morning.

I asked the question myself. Fire doesn’t come around just like that. It could be either an accident or manufacturing defect. Or could be both – probably. As we don’t have much of information, we can very much just surmise on things – theorize to be more precise. Surmise, but not necessarily far fetched. Not far fetched at all.

It could be an accident in this wise: something inside the bus itself, flammable material or something, might have been induced or triggered to burn. Thus, burning the bus itself.

Or it could happen that there was an accidental leak on the gas tank, in the engine, etc. which caused the fire. 

It could be a manufacturing defect in this wise: the tank or some mechanism inside it, which transport or process the fuel, might have been inherently defective. Fuel leaked, combined with compatible element of heat and fire, and then burn.

Or it could happen that there was a defect in the electrical system, wirings or otherwise, which short circuited and produced the fire.

Liability based on negligence can attach in the first against the person who is responsible in making sure that the bus is in a safe condition. The person could be the owner, operator or the bus maintenance company. But if it so happens that the fire accident is caused by one of the passenger, then in all probability, it is that person who must be held liable.

If it is the second, the manufacturer of the bus can be help liable. In this case, it is no longer necessary to prove negligence on the part of the manufacturer. All that is needed to do is establish that the bus contain defect that directly caused the same to caught fire.

As theories, this may a little bit vary as more information is discovered. Let us wait and see.

The blog Medical Oversight on Issuing Truck Driver License concerns itself on the reported issues on truck drivers’ licenses being issued to physically unfit drivers.

As of late, accidents involving trucks – big trucks are happening a little bit too frequent in California freeways.

And while the law requires minimum standards thru series of tests before one can obtain a license to drive commercially, the problem remains.

To address the problem, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recommended the inspection of medical certifications to know whether they are validly issued or not.

This was preceded by a hearing conducted by the US House of Representative Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The hearing revisited the congressional mandate in ensuring that commercial drivers’ licenses are issued only to medically fit drivers.

Considering the attention given by our Congress to address the problem, we can presume that indeed accidents involving big trucks are growing into alarming stage.

And considering still, the sizes of these trucks which can easily crush the majority of our citizens driving sedan type or any smaller vehicles for that matter – accidents caused by them are expected to be worse than ever.

Indeed this news is good news. Let’s just hope our representatives and officials will be true to their words and mandates of the law.

While other vehicular accidents are becoming more frequent and deadly, accidents involving Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) are proving to be even more disastrous. By its nature, SUVs are more prone to rollover because of its high center of gravity.

Statistics show that the proportion of deaths involving SUV drivers is growing annually. A new SUV statistics show that there are over 12,000 people died last year in SUV accident, with SUVs averaging the highest rate at nearly 62%.

The notoriety of SUVs is the topic of the legal blog entitled “Another SUV Accident Kills 5” posted on August 7, 2008.

The blog related a collision incident between an SUV and a Septic Truck. Due to the collision, both vehicles ended up in the canal and took the life of five persons including the truck driver.

If you have been involved in an SUV accident, you deserve an experienced rollover lawyers who can help you explore the complex legal issues involving SUV accidents to ensure that you will receive what you truly deserve under the law. With their assistance, you have a higher chance of winning your claim. They can protect your interest against the unjust and inadequate settlements provided by insurance company or the lawyers of the defendant.

Each week, freeways are venue for an unusual entertainment – car wrecks, collisions and car chases to name a few.

In short, freeway accidents are common. More often than not, its outcome is devastating and fatal.

In a blog “Freeway Accidents, Car Maintenance and Negligence”, the author again emphasized the risk of having to navigate through a freeway. It mentioned another accident involving a 61-year-old man. Obviously, the victim died.

In the author’s narration of events, the car just drifted off the right shoulder before crashing. Up to this date, the reason for the crash is still under investigation.

However, the author believed that lack or improper car maintenance might be the main culprit of the accident. The author also speculated that the accident might have been caused by over speeding.

Well, I could only agree. Accidents are caused greatly by driver’s negligence. Negligence would pertain to improper maintenance or care of the car or in actually driving the car itself.

I also do not negate the fact that the accident might have been caused by a mechanical flaw or defect. Defective cars have also been made the primary suspect in several accidents.

Well, one thing is clear: negligent driver aboard an improperly maintained car traveling in a freeway is a frightening and an unsightly scene.    

Studies show that a great number of car accidents nowadays caused by driving under the influence (DUI). Despite the fact that there are laws prohibiting driving while intoxicated there are still a number of individuals who disregard such laws.

Does it mean that our laws are not that effective, or there are people who are really insensitive and selfish? People who does not care and think the possible consequences of their actions, it is all right then if they are the one who will suffer and be affected by such irresponsibility. The worst is it involved other innocent individual.

As I observed, most people involved in DUI accident are celebrities. For me, it is already a part of their lifestyle. Well then it is all right, they have the all the means to answer for whatever it may result.

May sympathy is with the innocent people who will suffer an injury or even die because of such irresponsible act.

Like what is related in a legal blog, entitled “Celebrated Celebrity DUI Crash” posted on July 30, 2008. The author related a recent DUI accident involving a Hollywood celebrity that caused injury to the passenger of both cars involved in the incident. 

For the people injured in drunk driving accidents, they can file a claim for damages and other monetary benefits against the celebrity. It is also for their advantage if they hire an accident lawyer in order to preserve and protect their right.

Big Rig accident is not as rampant as other kind of car accident but its effect is always devastating. Because of its sheer size collisions with this kind of vehicle is always catastrophic.

A survey made by NHTSA revealed that 5,000 people driving in small cars are killed each year and another 140,000 are injured in big rig accidents. It has also been found out that 600 drivers of big rig are killed each year and 30,000 are injured. What a tragic results.

In a legal blog entitled “Too many people, trucks, cars an Too many big rig accident” posted on July 24, 2008 related another devastating big rig accident.

Reports said that the victim was driving a 2007 Mazda when he slammed and collided into the parked big rig. The police have still no idea as to the cause of the accident. They have speculation that his maybe cause by the malfunction of the Mazda or due to the illegal parking of the trailer.

I just hope that the authorities do something about this. As mentioned in the blog this has been the third time that big rig accident occur in that same place. It is necessary to check this area to find out what possible solutions are available to deter this kind of incident.

To the family members of those who encounter such incident, it is your right under the law to institute a legal action against the party at fault.

Car accident is a traumatic incident. Every people involved in this kind of accident have difficulty of getting over for what happen. Others counted years to accept it especially those who lost a loved.

While other car accident victim who suffers an injury or a permanent disability are always reminded when they say the marks in their body as the effect of the accident what more to the victims who have been neglected by the culprit or who experienced hit and run incident.

Study shows that a big number of neglected car accident victims arise because people encounter in this kind of incident does not know what to do. So there usual reaction is to run from the accident area.

In a legal blog entitled “A Guide for Car Accidents Victims”  posted on July 23, 2008 discussed a systematic procedure on what to do when you encounter a car accident.

I just hope that through this article neglected car accident victims will be lessened. I also encourage the authorities to make an information drive regarding this issue.

On the other hand, we do not need this kind of guidelines and reminders. We just need to act in a natural human behavior in a civilized society. Of course, if you see other people in need we have to help him/her. What more if we are the one who cause the injury, the more that we are obliged to do so.

However, as what the saying goes, reminder is the cure to those who forget. It is our usual norm to forget or neglect certain things especially if it is our responsibility.  Therefore, this kind of information is material to remind those who forget and run from their responsibility.

We should have realized by now that we do not only need the help of ambulance, paramedics and doctors when it comes to car crash or accidents.

We also need the help of a car accident lawyer.

To beat car crash, we need the full enforcement of our traffic rules and regulations. And to prevent future incidents, we need to use the full strength of the law in making those erring insensitive reckless drivers liable to the victim.

They should realize that what they’ve done is wrong – very wrong. And they should pay every darn dime they could get to the victim. The law dictates that. The law is in the victim’s side.

What their insurance may want to pay aren’t enough. Meager sum of money cannot pay for the death of the victim. Or the injuries they suffer because of the accident.

Civil suits for recovery of compensation must be strongly pursued against these drivers. This is not to enrich the victim or their families but to somehow lessen their pain for the loss and suffering they sustained.

It’s a good thing we have laws. We are not allowed to take one’s limb because one caused our own to be damaged. Or, take one’s life because our loved one’s life was taken.

We instead invoke the law. In doing so, we need someone who can help us. In the case of car crashes, may be a car accident lawyer can.